Ticketmaster hackers stole tickets, fans say – NBC New York

Since Ticketmaster suffered a data breach in early 2024, customers across the U.S. have reported having their tickets stolen directly from their accounts — and fans who had tickets to an upcoming MetLife Stadium concert say they have also fallen victim to the hackers.

Brenda Azzolino of Flemington, New Jersey, and her sister secured spots on Pink's record-breaking tour 10 months ago as a surprise for their mother. But in late September, Azzolino received an email saying her tickets would be transferred, even though she hadn't approved it.

“I thought my tickets were gone. Someone took them out of my account,” Azzolino told NBC New York.

She wasn't alone. Alexandra Passer said the same thing happened to her when she tried to buy tickets to Pink's show.

“Saturday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. I randomly get an email… at 4:16 p.m. I get another email saying the transfer is complete,” said Passer, from Demarest, New Jersey. “There were a lot of tears shed, it’s very frustrating. It’s very disturbing.”

Passer said she paid a total of $1,275 for six tickets. After learning that she no longer had tickets in her account, Azzolino purchased new seats but requested a refund of her original purchase price of $428.

“I just want my money back for the tickets that were stolen from my account,” she said.

Ticketmaster customers across the country have reported the same ongoing issue with the company.

Asked whether the issue had anything to do with the spring data breach that affected more than 500,000,000 customers of Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation Entertainment, a company executive said the hack did not extend to logins have.

“As serious as this was, there was no credential breach,” Dan Wall, executive vice president of corporate and regulatory affairs at Live Nation, told NBC Chicago.

Ticketmaster described the incidents as “account takeovers” by fraudsters using compromised emails and passwords. The company said it invests more in security and verification than the rest of the industry combined.

In a statement, Ticketmaster said, in part: “The best way for fans to protect themselves is to set a strong, unique password,” adding that “scammers are looking for new scammers in every industry, and tickets will always be a target because they are valuable.” are.”

As for Passer and Azzolino, their problems have been solved. After NBC New York contacted Ticketmaster, Azzolino received a full refund of $428, and Passer learned that Ticketmaster had informed her that she would have six seats on the floor for the concert.